Two local residents recently received Civilian Service Awards from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office for saving a man’s life during a suicide attempt.
Clark and Brandy Pelphrey both work in the healthcare field, so when they were alerted to an incident during which a man was behaving strangely, the couple knew they needed to take action.
“I am a strong mental health advocate,” said Clark, who previously served as a nurse manager at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital’s behavioral health unit before taking a different job. “There are stigmas associated with mental health, and it’s something we should all be talking about.”
Clark said received a phone call from his wife Brandy — a nurse practitioner — who was with the person’s wife when they realized the man wasn’t picking up his phone.
According to Clark, God put him and his wife in the right place at the right time that day.
After the Pelphreys removed the man from the situation and carried him outside, DCSO arrived at the residence with firefighters from the Masonville Fire Department.
Because of his experience in behavioral health issues, Clark spoke with the first responders about the need for the man to seek mental health treatment immediately afterward. The first responders — all certified in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training — made sure that the man was placed in the right hands following the event.
Clark said he is continuously working to overturn the stigmas surrounding poor mental health. He said it’s currently a difficult time for many people, especially with social restrictions and isolation stemming from COVID-19 on top of an already tough holiday season that causes mental health issues to increase.
“One in five adults has a mental illness. Suicide rates in Daviess County have increased as well over the last 10-15 years,” he said. “What I want people to know is, ‘It’s OK to not be OK.’ There is help, and great people to help you, in this community.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK.
Local resources include RiverValley Crisis Line at 800-433-7291 and Owensboro Health Behavioral Health Services at 270-417-7980.
